The Business of HockeyDiscuss the financial and business aspects of the NHL. Topics may include the CBA, work stoppages, broadcast contracts, franchise sales, expansion and relocation, and NHL revenues.

Montreal forward Pierre Dagenais, Calgary defenseman Mike Commodore and Ottawa blueliner Brian Pothier have recently discussed their discontent with the lack of negotiations between the Players' Association and the league.
With a handful of NHL players frustrated by that lack of negotiations, Stars' forward Bill Guerin doesn't blame them for venting but suggests they remain cool.

Some players have been critical of the top tier of union leadership, which includes the Guerin, Vancouver's Trevor Linden and Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson.

"I know guys can get frustrated, and sometimes they let their frustrations speak for them," Guerin told the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram.

"A lot of times, they do look back on it and try to take it back.

There are no breaks in the union, and everybody that has a comment that comes out negative is smoking weed. People have to remember: This is early yet. We haven't missed a month yet."

Guerin said he "can't see us not playing this year," but added that he wouldn't be surprised if some owners want to "sit the season out. ... If you cave now and accept a salary cap ... man, the guys two years in the league who will play for another 10 or 15 years will be sorry."

Montreal forward Pierre Dagenais, Calgary defenseman Mike Commodore and Ottawa blueliner Brian Pothier have recently discussed their discontent with the lack of negotiations between the Players' Association and the league.
With a handful of NHL players frustrated by that lack of negotiations, Stars' forward Bill Guerin doesn't blame them for venting but suggests they remain cool.

Some players have been critical of the top tier of union leadership, which includes the Guerin, Vancouver's Trevor Linden and Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson.

"I know guys can get frustrated, and sometimes they let their frustrations speak for them," Guerin told the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram.

"A lot of times, they do look back on it and try to take it back.

There are no breaks in the union, and everybody that has a comment that comes out negative is smoking weed. People have to remember: This is early yet. We haven't missed a month yet."

Guerin said he "can't see us not playing this year," but added that he wouldn't be surprised if some owners want to "sit the season out. ... If you cave now and accept a salary cap ... man, the guys two years in the league who will play for another 10 or 15 years will be sorry."

--------

i guess guerin hasn't spoken to rob ray yet.. hehehe

Bill Guerin is living off past glory and a hefty contract.

Its NO coincidence that the people who say "The Union is Sound, and we are all together" are those who can, right now, quick playing hockey and retire happily.

Guerin said he "can't see us not playing this year," but added that he wouldn't be surprised if some owners want to "sit the season out. ... If you cave now and accept a salary cap ... man, the guys two years in the league who will play for another 10 or 15 years will be sorry."

It's funny but it's mostly those players that will be there another 10-15 years that seem to be accepting a "cap".

Guerins made his money, got his big contracts, he's set for life. Its not him that benefits from this. He is making the sacrifice to stand up to management for what is right, for the players coming up behind him.

Fans take the principle of negotiating your value lightly especially when they see it as so much, but fair is fair, this is business and that is a fundamental right. If you dont stand up for your rights, you lose them.

He did say its early yet and he cant see them missing the season. A lot of players have expresed this thought. Bettman is telling them they are miscalculating. Like James Baker talking to Iraq. We'll see.

Guerins made his money, got his big contracts, he's set for life. Its not him that benefits from this. He is making the sacrifice to stand up to management for what is right, for the players coming up behind him.

Fans take the principle of negotiating your value lightly especially when they see it as so much, but fair is fair, this is business and that is a fundamental right. If you dont stand up for your rights, you lose them.

He did say its early yet and he cant see them missing the season. A lot of players have expresed this thought. Bettman is telling them they are miscalculating. Like James Baker talking to Iraq. We'll see.

Guerin and other hard core union lackeys should choose their words wisely or better yet keep their mouths shut all together.

Fans are behind guys like Commodore. In fact, Ron Maclean had a terrific profile of Commodore during commercial breaks on 'Movie Night in Canada''....I wonder if they're planning a similar profile of Guerin in the weeks ahead....I don't think so...

Fan support is firmly behind the dissenters...Keep talking....if Goodenow won't listen, he will have to go...